Monthly Archives: February 2009

Mental Health Consultative Services – A BRYT Idea

Posted on February 27, 2009 by

Since the creation of the Children’s Mental Health Campaign in 2006, a consistent theme that has been heard from parents, teachers, and policy makers is the need for more school resources to give students with mental health needs every opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Mental Health | Leave a comment

Status Quo, Seriously?

Posted on February 27, 2009 by

David Himmelstein, along with co-authors Rachel Nardin and Steffie Woolhandler, have gotten an awful lot of press this past week. On February 18th, they released their paper, “Massachusetts’ Plan: A Failed Model for Health Care Reform,” and we’ve seen it … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 12 Comments

And Then There Were Five?

Posted on February 26, 2009 by

The Connector Board met on Thursday morning. The Board was updated on the Commonwealth Care FY10 MCO procurement process and presented with data on enrollment, plan design, premiums and the draft Seal of Approval goals for the Commonwealth Choice plans. … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | 4 Comments

Shocking! (a pharmaceutical company is accused of fraud and kickbacks, again)

Posted on February 26, 2009 by

Not that we are surprised, but on Wednesday of this week, the Justice Department charged the drug maker Forest Laboratories with “defrauding the government of millions of dollars by illegally marketing the popular antidepressants Celexa and Lexapro for unapproved uses … Continue reading →

Posted in Prescription Drug Reform | Leave a comment

Public Hearings on Chapter 305 Quality Regulations Coming in March

Posted on February 26, 2009 by

The Department of Public Health will hold two public hearings to gather comment on regulations drafted to fulfill some of the requirements of Chapter 305, last year’s health cost and quality bill. This earlier HCFA blog post discusses the presentation … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care Quality | Leave a comment

Children’s Dental Health Month Garners Statewide Coverage

Posted on February 26, 2009 by

We know that children’s oral health is an integral part of overall health. In fact, there are serious consequences for ignoring this important part of a child’s healthy development. To ensure that our voices are heard, the Watch Your Mouth … Continue reading →

Posted in Oral Health | Leave a comment

Mass Health Information Technology Council, Meeting 1, the Sequel

Posted on February 25, 2009 by

An additional meeting of the Health Information Technology Council will be on Thursday, February 26, from 2 – 4, at 1 Ashburton Place, 11th Floor, Matta Conference Room, was added to the schedule because the agenda for the first meeting … Continue reading →

Posted in E-health | Leave a comment

If “dropping out is no longer an option” then we need to meet the needs of our students

Posted on February 25, 2009 by

“And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American.” – President Barak Obama: February 24, … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Health | Leave a comment

Connector Meets Thursday Morning

Posted on February 24, 2009 by

The Connector Board will meet on Thursday, February 26th from 9:00 – 11:00 am in the 21st floor conference room of One Ashburton Place, Boston. The Board will be updated on the FY10 Commonwealth Care MMCO procurement process and presented … Continue reading →

Posted in MA Health Reform | Leave a comment

Massachusetts Dental Society’s Call to Action

Posted on February 23, 2009 by

Last week, the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS), issued a Call to Action to the residents of the Commonwealth. MDS is an oral health care organization representing 5,000 dentists, and has been working to create a comprehensive plan to improve the … Continue reading →

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